Rack



. H. CHASE ET AL I URACK April 5",

Filed Jan-T28. 1926 I s aegis-sheet;

April 5, 1927.

R H. CHASE ET AL RACK" "Filed Jan. 28.1926 r s Sheets-Sheet scribed which readily lends itself to manu' Patented Apr; 5, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PHILIP K. CHASE, on BALA, AND wrnma vr nos'rnn, or PHILA'nELimIA, PENNSYL- a VANIA; SAID FQSTER ASSIGNOR r0 SAID CHA SE.1

BACK.

Application filed January 28, 1926. Serial No. 84,484.

This invention relates to racksan'dwith regard .to certain more specific 'features to racks for insulators and like fixtures.v

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of a rack.

comprising interchangeable. units adapted to be fastened together. to form various sized and shaped larger aggregate units; the provision of a-rack of the type described which is adapted to be readily assembled in the field and be transported thereto with ease;

the provision of a device of the type *de+ .facture in difi'erentnnitary sizes and shapes;

and the provision of such a device'as de scribed as is simple and economical of fabri-I cation and'of such ruggedness as to be-adapt ed to long andihard usage. Other objects w ll be in part obvious and in part pointed outf hereinafter. The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combination of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which willbe exemplifiedin the structure hereinafter described, and the scope-or the application of which-will be indicated in the followingclaims.

In the accompanying-drawings in which are illustrated various embodiments of the invention, I s Fig; 1 is aside elevation showing'one form of assembl of the general type of rack units descri ed herein, and illustrates one modification of the general type;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showin 'another form of assembly;

ig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a third form of assembly;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of Fig. 1;

Fi dis a fragmentary side elevation.

Fig. 6 is an isometric view showing-the form of unit of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7i" a fragmentary isometric view showing another form of interlock betweenunits :Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section taken on line 88 of Fig. 9; I

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation showing a clampin ring for joining units; Fig. 10 is a vertical section of the device shown in Fig. 1 but shows a modified-form of legtherefor and a modified clamping modified unit assembly;

Fig. 11 is a section talienon lirie 11 11 ofFig.lO 7

Fig. 12 .isaside. elevation of another Fig. 13 is agsection-takefion line 13-13 ofFig. '12;f A

side'elevation similar to 12 but hows another formof interlock;

- Fig. 15 is' a fragmentary section taken on line 15 -15 of Figl ll; J

Fig. 16"is aplanvi ew showing a form offastening for using screws and the like;

Fig. .17: is-a' fragmentary side elevation o'tFig.16;an'di ig." 18;,is a side elevation of an assembly showing another form of screw fastening. Similar reference characters indicate corresponding part3 throughout the several views-oi the drawings.

I Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1; there is illustrated at numeral '1 a framework i'rom which a group of insulators is to be suspended. In application, the framework 1 may bearranged as shown, or horizontally. The-insulators 3 are adapted to have cables and the like' fastened to' them when said insulators are many of various positions. This is accomplished by proper methods of wiring and shaping of the insulators or by direct gravity suspension if the framework 1" is horizontally arranged.

Heretoforethe bracket or rack for-holding a group of insulators has been formed in-one unit. Hence for every new combination-of insulators (according to number" and arrangement) a different sized and shaped rack has been required to be manufactured.

' This practice has led to waste in said manufacture and produced a clumsy product which 'was not readily transported or hoisted into fastening position. Furthermore, the exact combination of insulators to be required in a particular field installation cannot always be forecasted so that it is at present nece ary to carry some racks of each 'of several descriptions to the point of installation so that all contingencies may be provided ton.

' Inthe present invention the rack assembly is formed in U-shaped units 5, each one of which comprises a more or less 'flat base portion 7 formed with a hole 9 preferably more or less centrally thereof. Each hole 9 provides means for fastening each respective unit 5 to the frame 1 by means either ticular circumstances. Either is adapted to hold rather heavy loads. Each'unit 5 has formed angular-1y with respect to the portion 7, more or less fiat legs.13.' (See also Fig. 4.) Toward the base of the legs are formed aligned holes aligned as shown in Fi 1.

are adapted to These holes align with one another when the portions 7 of several units 5 are Hence nutand-bolt combinations 1 hold two or more of the units together.

The outer ends of said legs.13 are also pro-= vided with aligned holes 19. Through these holes 19 an aligning. and supporting bolt 21 is passed for purposes of aligning the ends ofthe legs and supporting 'a group of insulators. Theinsulat-ors are provided with the proper hole for permitting their positioning on the bolt 21 and between the legs 13.

Each unit 5 is like its mate. These units are easily made, may be closely packed for transportation and can be readily assembled at the support 1 to form a rack having a capacity for any desired number of insulators. Furthermore, if is desired'to 1ncrease the capacity of a rack after installa. tion,.it may readily-be 'done wlthout CllS- turbing the previous wiring, merely by add-.

ing a unit 5'a nd introducing a longer bolt directly behind the bolt 21 as said bolt 21 is withdrawn from the holes 19 and insulators 3. i

It is apparent from Fig.2 that in order to increase the carrying capacity of a un1t 5, it may be formed as the unit 23 of said Fig. 2 is formed. Each unit 23 comprises the same elements as a unit 5, that is, at and near its base portions, but its legs 25 are lengthened to approximately double the length of thesaid legs 13 of the units 5. Hence by forming aligned holes 27 near the ends of said legs 25 another insulator 3 may be'added. Another shorter through bolt 29 holds this last named insulator.

If an inverse arrangement of insulators is desired from that shown in Fig. 2, itis only necessary to provide two long units 23 on each'side of a short unit 5 as illustrated in Fig. 3. Two long bolts 21 are then used for alignment and insulator-mounting.

As indicated in Fig. 3 by dotted iines, the assembly there shown may be made tosupport two full rows of insulators, thus douling the capacity of the Fig. 1 assembly.

Preferably the outer central insulator is pro vided with spacer washers 31 one on each side thereof for aligning said insulator in the absence of lengthened legs on the central unit 5. The combinations shown in Figs. 1

to 1 may be repeated to aggregate larger assemblies and the combinations may also be varied as to the manner of placing the units 5 and 23 and/or the insulators 3 (see dotted lines, Fig. 3). It is therefore obvious that a for purposes of fastening the unit to a brace orthc like. Formed at an anglewith said portion 7 are the said legs 13, at, the outer ends ofwhich are formed the said holes 19 for the through bolt 21. The unit is modified however in that the nut-and-bolt clamping combinations 17 for holding the units 6 together (shown. in Figs. 1 to 4) are dispensed with; Instead, the opposite legs 13 are formed as follows:

One of legs 13 has a more or less rectangularportion punched therefrom to form an opening 33'. On the oppositeleg at a point somewhatnearer the portion 7 is formed a struck out but parallel tongue 35. The

tongue 35 is slightly narrower than the opening It is struck out a disiance somewhat greater than the thickness of either of the legs 13. By placing a leg having a tongue 35, against one having the opening 33, the tongue 35 may bem'ade topass laterally through said opening. Then if the portions 7 of said vjuxtapositioned units are aligned, the tongues 35 will slide down to hook over the portion of the legs 13 beneath the opening 33, whereby the units 5 are held together as long as the fastening bolts or lag screws 11 hold the respective units to the frame 1 (see Fig. 5). The result is a device as rugged and effective as the one illustrated in Figs. 1' to 4 and one which may be modified as to assembly in the manner previously described for said first form. The present modified tongued connection eliminates the nut-and-boltcombination 17. Hence there are fewer parts to assemble and to become liable to loss during transportation or assembly i F ig. '7 illustrates another another form of struck-up tongue 37 which is T-shaped. The more or less oppositely formed opening 39 in the opp'osite'leg of the unit 5 is also T- shaped but of greater dimensions than said tongue 37. Obviously in forming the T- headed tongue 37, the curvature given to the stem 41 thereof causes the cross portion 43 thereof to be positionedin projection somewhat over the stem (of the slot left after striking up the tongue; Therefore if the opening 39 is formed oppositely of the opening formed by tongue 37, then one unit 5 will have to be moved along the other to make the cross-portion 43 of tongue 37 regis- The tongue is strucku such a distance that after passage sidewar 1y through the opening v39, it may be slipped rearwardly in the openmg39 until the said flat portions 7 of number of holes dependinguponwhether it; 18:3 short unit 5 or a long unit 23.

the units 5 (or 23) are aligned, whence the cross portion 43 is positioned across the, stem o-fvthe T-opening 39.' A positive interlock I between units 5 and/or'23 is-thu's formed.-

Neitherof the tongue forms 35 .or 37 interfere with the placement of insulators 3 after assembly. I

Figs. 12 and 13-show aform of sliding lock between units. Here one leg of the,

units 5 or .23 is'leftfonly with a hole 19 or holes 19 a1id'27 for receiving aligning and supporting bolts such as 21or 29, the

The other leg of theunit is provided with a pair of sidewardlyhooked ears adapted to" slidably embrace the opposite plain leg of an adjacent unit. Units! or 23 may he slid on area one another as desired'to' form various aggregate assemblies. They are fastened to the brace 1 in the manner heree" iii-before described, that throughthe holes 9. Thelegs on which the ears 15 are" formed are also provided with the properfaligning holes 19 and/or 27 for receiving through olts as described;

Figs. 14 and 15 show a type of interlock which 1' uires lateral movement of the units 5- or 23 or assembly thereof. In this'ca se one leg of each member has oppositely the units 4 or 23 in any of many ways. The 1 forms of Figs. 5 to 7' require a compound placed notches .4 7 formed near the base. po-

sition thereof. Inthe other .leg are formed up, struck ear-s49 adapted -to' cooperate snugly with the notches 47 when the units are aterally brought together 'with the base portions 7 aligned. The depth of each notch 47 is approximately tw cethe thick-- ness-of the material used for forming the.

legs 13. The'upstruck ears49 have a simi lar effective length so that when said ears 49 and notches 47 cooperate, a lateral flush arrangement is obtained (see Fig. 14). 1 All other elements on the units 5 or 23'in this form are like those of the previous forms.

It may be noted that the Fig. 1 to tfastening form maybe assembled by. moving lateral and longitudinal movement. The

form of Figs. .12 and 13 requires only alongitudinal movement, while the form of Figs. 14 and 15 requires only a lateral move ment. The particular class of service willgovern the desirability of a particular form of interlock or fastening.

, Figs. 8 and 9 show a fastener 51 which comprises a raised hollow frame or collar 53 adapted'to snugly fit around two legs of adjacent units 5 or 23. It is slid, down againstthe flat portions 7 of said units. It is provided with sidewardly extending olfis by bolting" set legs or lugs 55 drilled for purposes of screwing or bolting to a frame 1. This fasten'er is adapted to be used where screws are used as fasteners and whereby a rclatively long tool must be used for application thercof. The previous forms, after installation would not permit of theme of a long tool such as a screwdriver for reaching the fastenin'gs 11 passing through the holes 9 because the insulators and through bolts would I interfere. In the present form this is not :true. Here the lioles 9 may beeliminated.

{show how the legs 13 ts 5 and/or 23 may be modified toadvai'itage. They are laterally and inwardly bowed as indicated at numeral -57. A pprokimately elliptically formed fastening r ngs oricollars 59 are then' slipped over "adjacent legs of juxtapositioned units;

This form,-after being fastened to the'frame .1 by prop eii fasteners passing through the.

holes 9, provides pairs of extending legs 13 or 25v which themselves form hollow SOC-\ tioned bracing members whose combined section modulus is higher than that of two Q o a u adyacent flat members of like PI'OPOIUOIIEL. Hence strengthis' increased. Furthermore burred edges are prevented from scraping the insulation from cables and the like which Y ma be drawn through the unit during insta lation (see dotted lines, Fig. 10). It is 59 may be provided with ears" for screwing them to the frame 1, the construction being similar to the one shown in Figs. 8 .and 9. They teners o 8 and 9 fornrmay; be dispensed with and the fasteners 11 employed with..l-1oles-9.

Figs. 16 to 18 show means for adapting any of the previous formsto be fastened in such manner that the fastenings for removing the assembly as a whole may readily "be reached without 1 interference from the through bolts 21 or 29 and/or the insulators 3.

' In Figs; 16 and 17 each Fig.1 form of unit 5 is bolted to a lateral bridge member 61.vv The arched portion 63 of each member 61 is raised above the lower surface of its supporting legs-65 enough to permit placement of a bolt head 67under the bridge. A hole 69 formed through the bridge is adapted to align with the said h0le.9 of the units 5 and/or 23 and receive a nut-and-bolt combination 71 for fastening the said unit .to

its bridge. Holes 73 in thelegs 65 permit then act additi'vely with the fas-Q holes 9 or replace thenn Likea; wise the earson the frames 51 of the Figs.

to be'understood that if desired, the rings 6 llt) the fastener 71. Any of the previously de-' scribed forms of interlocked units 5- having fastening holes 9 may be fastened by means of these bridges, or the one about to be dcscribed.

Fig. 18 shows the use of one long bridge 77 which has an arch 7 9 long enough to laterally receive all of a group .of units 5 and/or 23. As in the previous form, nutand-bolt combinations 6? hold the unitsto the bridge 7!), which bridge has the requisite number of holes formed therein. Legs 81 are adapted to be screwed or held down by fasteners 83 which are easily reached without interference from the units themselves.

In view. of the above, it is believed that the various features of this invention will be clear without further elaboration, and it will be seen that with the apparatus herein described, the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above-construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

WVe claim: v

1. A rack for insulators and the like comprising interclmngeable units adapted to be fastened together in various juxtapositioncd combinations and aggregations while in the process of installation, said units comprising portions adapted to be fastened to a common frame and laterally'formcd legs the adjacent legs of juxtapositioned units being held together, and a bolt passing thru the legs of the units and upon which the insulators are mounted.

2. A rack for insulators and the likecomprising interchangeable units adapted to be fastened together and to a common frame in various combinations and aggregations, said units comprising portions adapted to be fastened to a frame, laterally formed legs adapted to lie adjacent to the legs of adjacent units, tongue and-slot combinations for V holding adjacent legs of the units together and a through bolt passing through holes formed in the legs whereby the units are .aligned' and whereby insulators may be held between them. h

3. A rack for insulators ,and the like comprising interchangeable units adapted to be fastened together and to a common frame in various combinations and' aggregations, said units comprising portions adapted to be fastened to a frame, laterally formed legs adapted to lie adjacent to the legs of adjacent units, means for holding adjacent legs of the units together and a through bolt passing through holes formed in the legs where- -by the-units are aligned and whereby insulators may be held between them.

.4. A rack for insulators and the like comprising interchangeable units adapted to be fastened together and to a common frame in various combinations and aggregations,

- said units comprising portions adapted to be fastened to a frame, laterally formed legs of various lengths adapted to lie adjacent to the legs of adjacent units, means for holding adjacent legs of the'units together and a through bolt passing through holes formed in the legs whereby the units are aligned and whereby insulators may be held between them.

5. A rack for insulators and the like comprising a plurality of U-sh'aped units, means for fastening said units to .a common frame, at least one opening in one leg of each unit and at least one corresponding tongue on the other leg thereof, said openings and 

